The report raises questions over whether the use of vendors by the force could circumvent privacy laws over law-enforcement searches
A federal watchdog says the RCMP could be putting the privacy of Canadians at risk by hiring third-party technology companies capable of dredging up deeply buried internet information about the public.released Thursday to Parliament, Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne questioned whether the force is relying on vendors whose services could circumvent privacy laws limiting law-enforcement searches.
The commissioner wrote in the report that his office “recommended that the RCMP conduct comprehensive assessments to get a reasonable level of assurance that its third-party services are compliant with relevant privacy laws.” For example, Mr. Dufresne highlighted the fact that the police force bought services from Babel Street. He said the U.S.-based company’s software, dubbed BabelX, is so invasive, he has asked the Mounties to stop using some capabilities.“Contrary to media and other reports of public concern, Babel X is not used by the RCMP to spy on or monitor web users,” the assessment says.